Remote Youth Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $63,252.00 - $84,984.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04388
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: (PPS) Integrated System of Care
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."
Job Title: Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team Care Coordinator | Social & Health Program Consultant 2
Location: Statewide, WA - Full-Time/Permanent/Flexible/Hybrid.
Closes: Monday, June 8th, 2026
Salary: $63,252 - 84,984 Annually (The salary listed does not include the 2% general wage increase effective July 1, 2026)
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a passionate and dedicated professional to join the Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team (YYAHRT) as a Care Coordinator. This unique position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and young adults transitioning from publicly funded systems of care who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. As part of a specialized, multi-agency team representing DCYF, Commerce, HCA, and DSHS, you will play a critical role in advancing Washington State's commitment to ensuring that no young person exits a system of care into homelessness. If you are committed to equity, relationship-based practice, and supporting young people as they build stable and successful futures, we encourage you to apply.
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The Opportunity:
In this role, you will provide advanced-level care coordination and direct support to youth and young adults exiting child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and other publicly funded systems of care. Working collaboratively with young people, their chosen support systems, community partners, and state agency representatives, you will help develop and implement individualized, culturally responsive, and ADA-compliant service plans focused on housing stability, well-being, and successful transitions into adulthood. Through a human-centered and strengths-based approach, you will assist youth in identifying and achieving their goals, navigating complex service systems, and accessing critical housing and community resources. As a member of the Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team, you will also contribute to system improvement efforts by identifying barriers, elevating emerging trends, and helping shape recommendations that strengthen outcomes for youth and young adults statewide.
Read more about our work at:
Some of what you will get to do:

• Assess young people's need for shelter and housing and counsel them regarding available resources and options.
• Assess the young person served, and their parents or caregivers, barriers to securing and maintaining stable housing, including evaluating parent/caregivers' capacity to reconcile with and provide a home for the young person being served.
• Assess and research relative and kin options, as appropriate, to identify housing opportunities for youth and young adults with family members and kin.
• Make mandated reports to Child Welfare intake when necessary for a youth suspected of being abused, abandoned or neglected.
• Make mandated reports to Adult Protective Services intake, when necessary, for a young adult suspected of being abused, or exploited.
• Maintain routine communication with youth and young adults served by the response team, serving as a primary point of contact.
• Participate in youth-centered multi-disciplinary team meetings with youth and young adults, their support systems, and the members of the response team.
• Collaborate with key individuals working to support the young person being served including but not limited to parents, relatives, system professionals, attorneys, private agencies, caregivers, medical and healthcare professionals, behavioral health specialists, Managed Care Organizations, CLIP facilities, Guardian ad litem/CASAs, and others.
• Coordinate services with Tribes for youth who are enrolled or may be eligible for enrollment.
• Make referrals to include but not limited to behavioral health services, civil legal aid, peer support, family reconciliation services, employment and education services, and other housing and navigation supports.
• Make referrals for resources that respond to the identity, cultural, and psycho-emotional needs of youth, their families, and communities.
• Provide families with guidance and referrals to therapeutic services such as counseling, mediation, and treatment when necessary.
• Monitor outcomes for youth and young adults served for a period of up to 12 months which may include but not be limited to conducting follow up interviews to determine if the young person was able to maintain housing or sustain other necessary supports.
• Search Barcode, ACES and publicly available tools such as jail rosters to locate youth, young adults and, when applicable, their parents or Guardians.
• Input case notes to document contact information for and communication with youth and young adults, their support systems and families in the YYAHRT system of record.
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary youth-centered team meetings when necessary.
• Schedule and utilize spoken word translators, obtain youth-specific document translations and other accommodations to meet the individual needs of youth, young adults and families served by the response team.
• Gather and record client information in the YYAHRT system of record.
• Submit request to YYAHRT Manager when a YYAHRT case is ready to be moved to "Monitoring" status or should be "Closed."
• Make mandated reports to Child Welfare intake when necessary for a youth suspected of being abused, abandoned or neglected.
• Make mandated reports to Adult Protective Services intake, when necessary, for a young adult suspected of being abused, or exploited.

Required Qualifications:

• One (1) year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 1.

OR

• Seven (7) years of experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

• A bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

• A master's degree or higher in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field AND two (2) years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

Note:
A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Previous demonstrated general knowledge and skill with the child welfare system, juvenile justice system, and/or behavioral health system and trauma-informed practice.
• Previous demonstrated knowledge of using computer systems, negotiation, child development, ethics and professional standards, social casework principles and practices; safety framework, decision making; and interviewing techniques.
• Previous demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, complex work environment with multiple conflicting priorities and audiences with ability to manage, prioritize and track a large volume of work.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and innovative when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; receptive to new ideas and situations.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter
• Resume (current/updated)

Supplemental Information:
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:
Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what's listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit:
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact . If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email . Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans' Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, .
DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.
2026-04388
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.<...